IUDs

Gynecologist holding an IUD birth control device

Doctors urged to treat pain for IUD insertion and other procedures

6:00am May 20, 2025

A major medical group now recommends pain-blocking treatments for IUD insertion and other procedures amid a growing recognition that women's pain should be treated.

Earlier this year, Virginia designated July as Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month.

Up to 80 percent of women will have a uterine fibroid by age 50

3:01am May 22, 2024

Fibroids are benign uterine tumors. So why does it matter that the majority of people with a uterus will have one before they are 50 years old? Physician Rachell Bervell, founder of the Black OBGYN Project, explains that when symptoms arise, they can be quite serious — from extreme menstrual bleeding to fertility problems. Plus, why they're very likely to affect you or a loved one.

Curious about other health issues? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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California grads headed to HBCUs in the South prepare for college under abortion bans

10:38am August 15, 2023

by April Dembosky

As young adults prepare to leave blue states and head to historically black colleges in states where abortion is banned, they're getting ready to safeguard their reproductive health during college.

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Even Low-Dose Contraceptives Slightly Increase Breast Cancer Risk

10:22am December 07, 2017

by Patti Neighmond

The absolute risk is very low. But low-dose formulations of birth control pills and other hormone-releasing contraceptives pose about the same risk to breasts as older formulations, a big study finds.

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Most employers are likely to continue paying for birth control for women. But there are exceptions.

If You Want An IUD, Take Note Of Trump's New Birth Control Policy

2:08pm October 17, 2017

by Michelle Andrews

Some employers may now opt to claim a religious or moral exemption when it comes to paying for birth control, and women could end up sharing the cost with employers that scale back coverage.

In the wake of the Trump election and in anticipation of a rollback of Obamacare, young women have taken to social media to urge each other to get long-acting contraceptives while they're still free.

Women Rush To Get Long-Acting Birth Control After Trump Wins

5:02pm November 11, 2016

by Erin Ross

Women lit up social media with warnings that birth control may become harder to get under a Trump administration. Gynecologists and Planned Parenthood centers say they're getting more calls.

A number of states recently have dedicated more money to educating women and health care providers about the 99 percent effectiveness of long-acting, reversible forms of contraception, like the intrauterine device, or IUD — shown here.

Long-Term, Reversible Contraception Gains Traction With Young Women

10:28am October 06, 2016

by Michael Tomsic

Implants and intrauterine devices are endorsed by pediatricians, OB-GYNs and health officials as a way to help girls and women space their pregnancies and reduce the risk of having a premature baby.

Birth control pills are 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, research shows — but only if you remember to take them as prescribed. Rod-shaped implants, T-shaped IUDs and vaginal rings are other options.

More Women Opt For IUD, Contraceptive Implant For Birth Control

2:52pm November 10, 2015

by Patti Neighmond

The number of U.S. women choosing long-acting, reversible birth control methods has more than quadrupled since 2002, data suggest. Use of the pill, condoms and female sterilization has dipped a bit.

New York City's health department launched the "Maybe the IUD" campaign this week, aimed at increasing awareness about the IUD as a highly effective and low-maintenance option for birth control.

Ladies, New York City Wants You To Consider An IUD

5:40pm October 05, 2015

by Lynne Shallcross

Bet you never thought you'd see IUDs promoted on cheery subway posters. New York City's health department wants women to realize that the long-term birth control is a good choice for many.

When health care providers have the latest information on various birth control methods, research suggests, more of their patients who use birth control choose a long-acting reversible method, like the IUD.

Updated Training Of Birth Control Counselors Boosts Use Of IUDs

9:35pm June 16, 2015

by Lisa Aliferis

And when the use of intrauterine devices and hormonal implants by young women goes up, the number of unplanned pregnancies sharply drops, researchers find.